Line of thrust

The line of thrust is the locus of the points, through which forces pass in a retaining wall or an arch.

It is the line, along which internal forces flow, [1], [2].

In a stone structure, the line of thrust is a theoretical line that through the structure represents the path of the resultants of the compressive forces, [3].

The line of thrust is important in almost any architecture bearing weight.

An arch won't collapse, when the line of thrust is entirely internal to the arch, [6].